Elizabeth Banks to Direct Charlie’s Angels Reboot

It may seem like too soon to reboot the Charlie’s Angels franchise; it’s only been 15 years since Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu karate chopped their way into our hearts. But remember that only 19 years separated that movie and the end of the original TV show and in the current Hollywood reboot climate, 15 years may as well be an entire ice age ago. At any rate, we’re getting a new Charlie’s Angels film and this time Sony has elected to put Elizabeth Banks is in the director’s chair.

Banks—who produced and then directed the enormously successful female-centric Pitch Perfect franchise—seems like the natural fit for a freshly empowered take on the 1970s jiggle TV. That jiggle—which was also a part of the 2000 and 2003 films directed by McG—will probably still come into play with whatever version Banks directs. But the women who brought us the sexually bold Fat Amy played by Rebel Wilson is likely to put an even more progressive spin on the male gaze that made Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith such iconic sex symbols.

As The Hollywood Reporter first broke back in September, Banks will also produce the upcoming film with partner and husband Max Handelman. No word yet on who will be writing the script but it’s possible Banks would go after Kay Cannon, the writer of both Pitch Perfect films. This isn’t the only directorial project on the horizon for Banks. She’s already attached to direct YA fantasy Red Queen and could potentially return to take on the previously-announced Pitch Perfect 3. In other words, everyone wants a piece of Banks. Can you blame them?